Similar Datasets
Project description:Mammalian pregnancy depends on the ability of the uterus to support embryo implantation. Previous studies reveal the Sox17 gene as a downstream target of the Pgr-Gata2-dependent transcription network that directs genomic actions in the uterine endometrium receptive for embryo implantation. Here, we report that ablating Sox17 in the uterine epithelium impairs leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and Indian hedgehog homolog (IHH) signaling, leading to failure of embryo implantation. In vivo deletion of the SOX17-binding region 19 kb upstream of the Ihh locus by CRISPR-Cas technology reduces Ihh expression specifically in the uterus and alters proper endometrial epithelial-stromal interactions, thereby impairing pregnancy. This SOX17-binding interval is also bound by GATA2, FOXA2, and PGR. This cluster of transcription factor binding is common in 737 uterine genes and may represent a key regulatory element essential for uterine epithelial gene expression.
| S-EPMC6200785 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Mammalian embryo development is dependent on the ability of the uterus to allow and support the implantation of the embryo. Here we demonstrate that ablation of Sox17 specifically in the uterine epithelium results in altered uterine epithelial cell proliferation, uterine gland development and embryo implantation. Uteri lacking Sox17 showed reduction in LIF and IHH signaling which are critical for embryo implantation. ChIP-seq analysis demonstrated that SOX17 binds to a region 19kb 5’ to the Ihh locus. In vivo deletion of this enhancer by the CRISPR-Cas technology reduced Ihh expression in uteri and altered proper endometrial epithelial-stromal interactions required for pregnancy leading to compromised fertility. The SOX17 binding peak at 19kb from the Ihh promoter also bound GATA2, FOXA2 and PGR. Bioinformatic analysis of regions overlapping SOX17, GATA2, FOXA2 and PGR bindings shows 737 genes with these common binding sites. This cluster of transcription factors identified in this enhancer region may represent a combination of regulatory elements essential for uterine epithelial gene expression and differentiation.
2018-08-09 | GSE118264 | GEO
Project description:Mammalian embryo development is dependent on the ability of the uterus to allow and support the implantation of the embryo. Here we demonstrate that ablation of Sox17 specifically in the uterine epithelium results in altered uterine epithelial cell proliferation, uterine gland development and embryo implantation. Uteri lacking Sox17 showed reduction in LIF and IHH signaling which are critical for embryo implantation. ChIP-seq analysis demonstrated that SOX17 binds to a region 19kb 5’ to the Ihh locus. In vivo deletion of this enhancer by the CRISPR-Cas technology reduced Ihh expression in uteri and altered proper endometrial epithelial-stromal interactions required for pregnancy leading to compromised fertility. The SOX17 binding peak at 19kb from the Ihh promoter also bound GATA2, FOXA2 and PGR. Bioinformatic analysis of regions overlapping SOX17, GATA2, FOXA2 and PGR bindings shows 737 genes with these common binding sites. This cluster of transcription factors identified in this enhancer region may represent a combination of regulatory elements essential for uterine epithelial gene expression and differentiation.
2018-08-09 | GSE118327 | GEO
Project description:SOX17 regulates uterine epithelial-stromal crosstalk acting via a distal enhancer upstream of Ihh
| PRJNA485189 | ENA
Project description:SOX17 regulates uterine epithelial-stromal crosstalk acting via a distal enhancer upstream of Ihh [array]
| PRJNA484976 | ENA
Project description:SOX17 regulates uterine epithelial-stromal crosstalk acting via a distal enhancer upstream of Ihh [ChIP-seq]
| PRJNA485190 | ENA
Project description:Embryo implantation is regulated by a variety of endometrial factors, including cytokines, growth factors, and transcription factors. Earlier studies identified the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a cytokine produced by uterine glands, as an essential regulator of implantation. LIF, acting via its cell surface receptor, activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the uterine epithelial cells. However, the precise mechanism via which activated STAT3 promotes uterine function during implantation remains unknown. To identify the molecular pathways regulated by STAT3, we created SW(d/d) mice in which Stat3 gene is conditionally inactivated in uterine epithelium. The SW(d/d) mice are infertile due to a lack of embryo attachment to the uterine luminal epithelium and consequent implantation failure. Gene expression profiling of uterine epithelial cells of SW(d/d) mice revealed dysregulated expression of specific components of junctional complexes, including E-cadherin, α- and β-catenin, and several claudins, which critically regulate epithelial junctional integrity and embryo attachment. In addition, uteri of SW(d/d) mice exhibited markedly reduced stromal proliferation and differentiation, indicating that epithelial STAT3 controls stromal function via a paracrine mechanism. The stromal defect arose from a drastic reduction in the production of several members of the epidermal growth factor family in luminal epithelium of SW(d/d) uteri and the resulting lack of activation of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling and mitotic activity in the stromal cells. Collectively, our results uncovered an intricate molecular network operating downstream of STAT3 that regulates uterine epithelial junctional reorganization, and stromal proliferation, and differentiation, which are critical determinants of successful implantation.
| S-EPMC3857199 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Present models suggest that the fate of the kidney epithelial progenitors is solely regulated by signals from the adjacent ureteric bud. The bud provides signals that regulate the survival, renewal and differentiation of these cells. Recent data suggest that Wnt9b, a ureteric-bud-derived factor, is sufficient for both progenitor cell renewal and differentiation. How the same molecule induces two seemingly contradictory processes is unknown. Here, we show that signals from the stromal fibroblasts cooperate with Wnt9b to promote differentiation of the progenitors. The atypical cadherin Fat4 encodes at least part of this stromal signal. Our data support a model whereby proper kidney size and function is regulated by balancing opposing signals from the ureteric bud and stroma to promote renewal and differentiation of the nephron progenitors.
| S-EPMC3891676 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Although it has been reported that uterine signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is essential for embryo implantation, the exact roles of uterine epithelial and stromal STAT3 on embryo implantation have not been elucidated. To address this issue, we generated Stat3-floxed/Ltf-iCre (Stat3-eKO), Stat3-floxed/Amhr2-Cre (Stat3-sKO), and Stat3-floxed/Pgr-Cre (Stat3-uKO) mice to delete Stat3 in uterine epithelium, uterine stroma, and whole uterine layers, respectively. We found that both epithelial and stromal STAT3 have critical roles in embryo attachment because all the Stat3-eKO and Stat3-sKO female mice were infertile due to implantation failure without any embryo attachment sites. Stat3-eKO uteri showed indented structure of uterine lumen, indicating the role of epithelial STAT3 in slit-like lumen formation in the peri-implantation uterus. Stat3-sKO uteri exhibited hyper-estrogenic responses and persistent cell proliferation of the epithelium in the peri-implantation uterus, suggesting the role of stromal STAT3 in uterine receptivity. In addition, Stat3-uKO female mice possessed not only the characteristic of persistent epithelial proliferation but also that of indented structure of uterine lumen. These findings indicate that epithelial STAT3 controls the formation of slit-like structure in uterine lumen and stromal STAT3 suppresses epithelial estrogenic responses and cell proliferation. Thus, epithelial and stromal STAT3 cooperatively controls uterine receptivity and embryo attachment through their different pathways.
| S-EPMC7511330 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone methyltransferase that suppresses gene expression. Previously, we developed a conditional null model where EZH2 is knocked out in uterus. Deletion of uterine EZH2 increased proliferation of luminal and glandular epithelial cells. Herein, we used RNA-Seq in wild-type (WT) and EZH2 conditional knockout (Ezh2cKO) uteri to obtain mechanistic insights into the gene expression changes that underpin the pathogenesis observed in these mice. Ovariectomized adult Ezh2cKO mice were treated with vehicle (V) or 17β-estradiol (E2; 1 ng/g). Uteri were collected at postnatal day (PND) 75 for RNA-Seq or immunostaining for epithelial proliferation. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was used to link uterine gene expression patterns and epithelial proliferation. In V-treated mice, 88 transcripts were differentially expressed (DEG) in Ezh2cKO mice, and Bmp5, Crabp2, Lgr5, and Sprr2f were upregulated. E2 treatment resulted in 40 DEG with Krt5, Krt15, Olig3, Crabp1, and Serpinb7 upregulated in Ezh2cKO compared with control mice. Transcript analysis relative to proliferation rates revealed two module eigengenes correlated with epithelial proliferation in WT V vs. Ezh2cKO V and WT E2 vs. Ezh2cKO E2 mice, with a positive relationship in the former and inverse in the latter. Notably, the ESR1, Wnt, and Hippo signaling pathways were among those functionally enriched in Ezh2cKO females. Current results reveal unique gene expression patterns in Ezh2cKO uterus and provide insight into how loss of this critical epigenetic regulator assumingly contributes to uterine abnormalities.
| S-EPMC7052568 | biostudies-literature